bombacopsis

noun

bom·​ba·​cop·​sis
ˌbämbəˈkäpsə̇s
1
capitalized : a genus of large trees (family Bombacaceae) with capsular fruits that burst when dry or release a soft brown wool surrounding the small brown seeds
2
plural bombacopses : any tree of the genus Bombacopsis

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, from Bombac-, Bombax bombax + -opsis -opsis

Note: Genus name introduced by the Swiss-born Latin-American botanist Henri François Pittier (1857-1950) in "New or Noteworthy Plants from Colombia and Central America—5," Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, vol. 18, part 4 (1916), pp. 159-61.

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near bombacopsis

Cite this Entry

“Bombacopsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bombacopsis. Accessed 9 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!